Alfred Aguilar facts for kids

Alfred Aguilar (born in 1933), also known by his Tewa name Sa Wa Pin, is a talented artist from the San Ildefonso Pueblo tribe. He is a Pueblo-American potter, ceramicist, and painter.

Alfred is especially known for his unique pottery. He uses a method called coil-building, where he shapes clay by stacking long, rolled coils. He then carves or paints beautiful designs onto his pots. He is also famous for his small clay buffalo figures and his clay nacimientos (which are scenes showing the birth of Jesus).

You might see his art sold under the name "Aguilar Indian Arts" in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Besides creating art, Alfred has also worked as a teacher's aide and instructor at the San Ildefonso pueblo. He even runs a store there!

Alfred comes from a family of artists. His parents, José Angela Aguilar and Rosalie Simbola, were both potters. His brother, José Vicente Aguilar, was also a painter.

Where You Can See His Art

Alfred Aguilar's artwork is so important that it is kept in special places called "permanent collections." This means his art is owned by museums and universities so people can see it for a very long time.

Some of the places where you can find his work include:

• The Gorman Museum of Native American Art
• The National Museum of the American Indian (which is part of the Smithsonian Institution)
• The University of Dayton